Lining Up

Excerpt from The Birth Book written by William Sears, M.D. & Martha Sears, R.N.:

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can not only improve musculoskeletal alignment and relieve areas of muscle tension, but it can also influence the quality of your birth experience. Studies show that women who suffered from low back pain during previous labors and then received chiropractic care in subsequent pregnancies reported significantly reduced low back pain in their subsequent labors.

Practicioners of SOT (sacro occipital technique) have especially effective techniques for pregnant women. Martha had the benefit of this attention weekly in the last trimester of our sixth pregnancy. This technique recognizes that the “wobbly” pregnant pelvis, especially the sacroiliac joint, needs to be stabilized. By the use of foam wedges (blocks) the pelvis is balanced using low-force adjustment (the women’s own body weight does the worth rather than direct manipulation by the practicioner). If you can’t locate a practitioner of SOT, consult a chiropractor who has a lot of experience working with pregnant women.

The uterus works best in a framework of ligaments and bones that are balanced and aligned. This allows the baby to travel more easily through the birth passage, avoiding long, difficult back labors and “failure to progress,” and reducint the incidence of cesarean section. Many women are advised incorrectly that they must put up with the low back pain, nausea, and headaches of pregnancy. Through chiropractic care, however, women can experience relief from these so-called “normal” discomforts, and enjoy a healthier pregnancy and birth.